Danny Rose agrees England is 'a laughing stock'

Danny Rose had no counter-argument to Alan Shearer’s claim that the England national team is “a laughing stock” following countless drab major tournament outings and Sam Allardyce’s sacking after one match in charge.

Allardyce was shown the exit just 67 days into his tenure when he was involved in The Telegraph’s recent “Football for Sale” expose. He was secretly filmed appearing to find ways to sidestep FIFA’s and the Football Association’s third-party ownership rules, prompting his ouster. Shearer, an all-time great of the international setup, slammed the Three Lions in its wake.

“I didn’t think England could stoop any lower from what happened in the summer at the Euros,” said the former Newcastle United striker. “Now here we are, a laughing stock of world football.”

Tottenham Hotspur left-back Rose brought up Shearer’s sentiments ahead of Saturday’s visit from Malta in 2018 World Cup qualifying, which England will play under interim boss Gareth Southgate, and wholeheartedly agrees.

“I saw Alan Shearer say English football has become a laughing stock and it’s hard to say but I agree a bit with a manager losing his job after one game,” Rose admitted.

“It’s not good in any sense and whatever stance the FA take after the four games (under Southgate), I hope the next England manager will be one for the long term and help us to improve a bit in tournaments.”

Rose expressed sympathy for Roy Hodgson, the veteran handler who stepped away from England after its harrowing Euro 2016 Round of 16 exit to Iceland, and says it’s up to the players, coaches, and national team hierarchy to address the pessimism surrounding the country’s game.

“Everyone, the players, the manager and all the staff, we’ve got to take it on ourselves to try to lift the opinion of English football over the next few games – starting with a positive performance on Saturday against Malta and then another positive performance against Slovenia (on Tuesday).”

Current favourites to succeed Southgate – who’s temporarily stepping up to the senior side from his role with the Under-21s – include Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, RB Leipzig director Ralf Rangnick, and nomadic gaffer Steve Bruce. Southgate, despite distancing himself from the post before Allardyce’s appointment, is also a front-runner.

Rose, an example of a player who’s thrived under the tutelage of Argentinian boss Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs, said it would be “amazing” to rehash that working relationship at England one day.

“What he’s done for Tottenham is clear for everyone to see, with the squad he’s built, and that would only be good for English football if that was ever to be the case,” Rose said.